- Wednesday, April 24, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
LAKHMEN Rymbui, the home minister of Meghalaya, stepped down on Sunday (15) from amid vandalism and arson over the police encounter of a top militant last week, even as the government of the state announced a curfew in capital Shillong and suspended internet services in at least four districts to bring the situation under control.
Writing to chief minister Conrad Sangma, Rymbui expressed shock over the protests and sought a judicial enquiry into the death of Cherish Starfield Thangkhiew, the former general secretary of the banned insurgent group Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council, in a police encounter on August 13.
ALSO READ: Amid crisis with Mizoram, Assam settles dispute with Nagaland
“I hereby express shock at the incident where (L) Chesterfield Thangkhiew was killed following the raid of police at his residence exceeding the lawful tenets of the law. Considering the gravity of the situation, I would request you to relieve the home (police) department from me with immediate effect. This will facilitate a free and fair inquiry taken by the government to bring out the truth about the incident. I propose a judicial inquiry be conducted,” he said.
India northeast crisis: Assam, Mizoram agree to settle problem peacefully
Rymbui said his party United Democratic Party (UDP) backed his decision.
“I have put forth my papers, after due consultation with my party leadership, to allow a free and fair probe into the killing of Thangkhiew,” he said.
Thanghkhiew, who surrendered in 2018, was suspected to be the mastermind behind a series of IED (improvised explosive device) attacks, according to the police.
Top sources in the police said the former militant was shot by police personnel after he attacked them with a knife when they raided their home.
Hundreds of Thangkhiew’s supporters protested after his death by carrying black flags. They also attacked government vehicles and set a police vehicle ablaze in Shillong’s Jaiaw area, it was reported.
The curfew was imposed in the Shillong Agglomeration area between 8 am on Sunday (15) till 5 am on August 17.
